Work Permit expiring, want to switch to tourist visa for a 2 months???

[jordanv87]

Hi,

I'm from Australia and I've been living and working in Edmonton, AB for the past 18 months. My work permit is due to expire in December and I am planning to stay in Canada until the end of February to holiday.

Can anyone help me as to whether I need to leave the country? Do I need to apply to change my status (form IMM 5708)? Can I just stay in the country and roll over onto a visitor visa (provided I've got an eTA)?

Help is needed!!! thanks.

 

[Bs65]

If staying in the country You should follow through the official extension process as once your work permit expires you would be out of status so not as simple as rolling over to become a visitor unless as a visa exempt you left the country and came back in again as a visitor. Of course coming back in as a visitor assumes you pass the CBSA vetting as a visitor which generally shouldnt usually be a problem but who knows which is why easier to apply for an extension.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/extend/visa.asp

Also you dont need an ETA unless you are planning to leave the country and fly back in. ETA is simply a permission to board a plane to Canada nothing more and has no purpose if already in the country.